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Writer's pictureFINANCE AND ECONOMICS

The Malacañang of the South in Tacloban

by Margaux Salcedo

Tacloban, Leyte

October 3, 2024


Got to visit the Sto Niño Shrine and Museum in Tacloban, which was right beside the venue, where we held our Open Government Partnership OGPinas conference.


This was closed when I did my morning tour at 6:00 am however, after we did our talks for the Open Government Partnership, the doors were finally open and there was even a tour guide!


What greets you as you enter is the private chapel which is home to the Sto Niño which, the tour guide said, is from Rome.


The ceiling and walls are made of banig, which Leyte is known for. On the left is a stunning, shimmering mosaic of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and on the right the Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.


On the sides of the chapel are at least 8 guest rooms but what was shocking was the massive receiving area upstairs - practically a ballroom - patterned after Malacañan Palace in Manila.



There is actually a relic here - the very chair that Pope - now Saint - John Paul II used during his Apostolic Visit to the Philippines in 1981!



We were also shown the room of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr though the tour guide said that none of the rooms there were ever used or actually lived in.


Margaux Salcedo | Malacanang of the South

Imelda also has her own room with Gucci leather walls. All four Marcos children also each have a room.


Other interesting finds are this antique mini grand piano and harp, a real jade carving of a "Sleeping Sto Niño" and a wooden art piece of Malakas and Maganda.

It's worth a quick tour. Very interesting to see a glimpse of the place's grandeur. Although it is now practically falling apart, and very dusty.


The whole place, according to the tour guide, was sequestered. Perhaps it would be better if it could be properly managed and made use of. While it is practically dilapidated, you can still see its beauty.



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